

Genus GALLINAGO Leach. 

 GALLINAGO DELICATA (Okd.). 



93. Wilson's Snipe. (230) 



Crown, l)lack with a pale middle stripe; back, varied with black, bright bay 

 and tawny, the latter forming two lengthwise stripes on the scapulars; neck 

 and breast speckled with brown and dusky ; lining of wings, barred with black 

 and white; tail, usually of sixteen feathers, barred with black, white and 

 chestnut; sides, waved with dusky; belly, dull white; quills, blackish, the 

 outer, white edged. Length, 9-11; wing, 4J-5|; bill, about 2i ; whole naked 

 portion of leg and foot, al)out '^. 



Hab. — North and middle America, breeding from northern United States 

 northward ; soutli in winter to West Indies and northern South America. 



Nest, usually a depression in a grassy meadow. 



Eggs, three or four; grayish-olive, heavily marked with umljer-brown and 

 irregular lines of black. 



This is the Snipe of America, although the name is often errone- 

 ously applied to other species. It is .sometimes called English Snipe, 

 owing to the close resemblance it bears to the British bird, but those 

 who hav^e compared the two species state positively that they are 

 different in their markings. 



In Southern Ontario this species is known only as a migrant in 

 spring and fall. During the former season they are more protected 



